OB 2 Terms

Acrocyanosis peripheral blueness of the hands and feet due to reduced peripheral circulation
NORMAL IN NEWBORNS
Anasarca severe generalized edema
Angioma benign tumor that is made up chiefly of blood and lymph vessels
Atony lack of normal tone or strength
Autolysis self-dissolution or self-digestion in tissues or cells by enzymes in the cells
Brown fat source of heat unique to the neonate that is capable of greater heat-producing
activity than ordinary fat; remains for several weeks after birth
Cerclage technique that uses suture material to constrict the internal os of the cervix; aids in
preserving pregnancy
Circumcision surgical removal of the foreskin/prepuce of the penis
Colostrum watery, yellowish fluid; secreted by breasts late in pregnancy and after childbirth; has
antibodies that give the child passive immunity for one year; acts as infant laxative that helps to
expel meconium (first bowel movement)
Cryptorchidism undescended testicles
Diaphoresis the secretion of sweat, especially the profuce secretion of sweat
Direct Coombs test lab blood test to detect autoantibodies against RBCs which can cause
cellular damage. These antibodies result in hemolytic anemia. Normal findings: negative, no
agglutination
Diuresis secretion and passage of large amounts of urine
Dizygotic of or pertaining to twins from two fertilized ova
Eclampsia most severe form of PIH; characterized by toxic and grand mal convulsions, coma,
hypertension, albuminuria, and edema
Epispadias congenital anomaly where the urethral meatus is located on the ventral aspect of the
penis (on top peeing in his eye more serious other problems)
Engorgement distended or completely filled (ie breasts)
Erythroblastosis fetalis hemolytic anemia in newborns resulting from maternal-fetal blood group
incompatibility, especially involving the Rh factor and ABO blood groups
Fontanelles soft spots membranous space between cranial bones in fetal life and infancy
-

A) anterior fontanel (top of head) diamond shaped opening point of head frontal and
parietal bones. Closes between 8th and 15th month. Dehydration if sunken in ICP if puffy
B) posterior fontanel - junction of occipital and parietal bones closes by 3-4 months

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) disorder characterized by an impaired ability to

Gynecomastia development of abnormally large mammry glands in a male that sometimes may
secrete milk. When observed in the newborn, it is response to maternal hormones; may be noted
in either sex of the newborn
Harlequin sign rare color change of no pathologic significance occurring between the
longitudinal halves of the newborns body; when the infant is placed on one side, the dependent
half is noticeably pinker than the superior half
High-risk pregnancy condition in which the life and health of the mother of infant is jeopardized
by a disorder coincidental with or unique to pregnancy
Homans Sign - sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A positive sign is present when there is
resistance (not pain) in the calf or popliteal region with examiner's abrupt dorsiflexion of the
patient's foot at the ankle while the knee is fully extended. If positive Homans sign you will be put
on anticoagulants for 6 weeks
Hydramnios abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by an excess of amniotic fluid
Hyrocele abnormal collection of fluid surrounding the testicles causing the scrotum to swell
Hydrocephaly abnormal condition caused by increase in volume of cerebrospinal fluid within the
skull
Hyperbilirubinemia excessive bilirubin in the blood
-

A) physiologic jaundice normal (liver is immature) occurs naturally AFTER the first 24
hours of life
B) pathological jaundice kernicterus occurs WITHIN first 24 hours of life due to Rh or
ABO incompatibility. Emergency grave form of jaundice. Bilirubin can stain the brain and
cause brain damage

Hypospadias congenital anomaly in which the urethral meatus is located on the dorsal aspect of
the penis (underside peeing in their shoe)
Icterus neonatorum newborn jaundice (physiologic)
Incompetent cervix passive and painless dilation of the cervix during the second trimester of
pregnancy; it is variable and exists as a continuum that is determined in part by cervical length
Indirect Coombs test lab bloodtest that detects circulating antibodies against RBCs; the test can
detect Rh antibodies in maternal blood and is used to anticipate hemolytic disease of the newborn
Intracranial within the cranium or skull
Involution return of the uterus to its normal size following delivery
Kernicterus grave form of jaundice in the newborn accompanied by brain damage (pathological)
Kick count daily counting of fetal movements felt in 1 hour while the mother is resting
Lactation formation and secretion of milk
Lanugo fine, down like hair seen on all parts of the fetus except the palms of the hands and soles
of the feet
Latch-on attachment of the infant to the breast for feeding; nipple and areola
Lochia postpardum uterine discharge consisting of red and white blood cells, fatty epithelial cells
and shreds of endometrium and bacteria (not unusual 1,ooos of WBC common)
Mastitis inflammation of the breasts; warm shower prior to breast feeding

Meconium first stools of the infant; viscid, dark greenish brown, almost black; sterile; odorless
Microcephaly abnormal smallness of the head
Milia minute epidermal cysts found on the nose and face of infants; benign lesions that are
normal manifestations. Sebaceous glands beginning to work
Mongolian spots bluish-gray discoloration of skin on lower back; resent at birth; fade in time;
may be mistaken for abuse
Monozygotic originating or coming from a single fertilized ovum, such as identical twins
Morbidity an illness or an abnormal condition or quality; the rate at which an illness occurs in a
particular area of population
Mortality condition of being subject to death; number of deaths in a specific population, usually
expressed as deaths per 1000, 10,000, or 100,000
Paraphimosis impaired circulation of the uncircumcised penis due to improper retraction of the
foreskin (caused by lack of circulation)
Parent-child attachment (bonding) initial pahse in a relationship characterized by strong
attraction and a desire to interact
Phimosis tightening of the foreskin of the uncircumcised penis
Phocomelia absence or incomplete formation and development of the arms, forearms, thighs,
legs. Hands and feet may be present but may be abnormally developed (flippers)
Phototherapy treatment for hyperbilirubemia and jaundice in the newborn that involves the
exposure of light; accelerates the excretion of bilirubin in the skin, decomposing it by
photooxidation
Placental barrier obstruction, boundary, or separation provided by the placental tissue between
the fetal and maternal circulation; substances of small size, excluding blood cells, may cross this
barrier
Polydactyly developmental anomaly characterized by presence of extra fingers and toes
Postpartum blues (baby blues) - temporary depression following childbirth; appears 3 days after
birth; normal hormonal changes; self-limiting
Preeclampsia an abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by the onset of acute
hypertension after the 24th week of gestation
Prolactin hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland that is responsible from
stimulating milk production n the mammary alveolar cells
Pseudomenstruation discharge of blood-tinged mucus from the vagina of the newborn, which
occurs in response to maternal hormones
Puerperium postpardum period lasting 3-6 weeks; begins at delivery and ends with the complete
involution of the uterus and healing of pelvic structures
Pyloric stenosis most common GI tract anomaly in infants; projectile vomiting caused by tight
pyloric sphincter; becomes apparent when baby 2-3 weeks old (surgery pyloromyotomy)
Severe preeclampsia may appear suddenly B/P increase (160-110 or higher) Edema obvious
higher Weight increase dramatically

Spina bifida congenital embryonic neural tube defect in which there is an imperfect closure of
the spinal vertebrae
Subinvolution uterus not involuting persistant lochia rubra caused retained placenta (pain
need D/C)
Syndactyly malformation of digits, commonly seen as a fusion of two or more toes to from one
structure
Talipes equinoverous club foot; may involve hips
TORCH (toxoplasmasis, other, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses) group
of agents than can infect the fetus of the newborn infant, causing a constellation of morbid effects
called TORCH syndrome
Vernix caseosa protective, chees-like covering that is whitish, and made up of sebum and
desquamated epithelial cells that is present of the fetal skin and skin of the newborn